Complementary Functional Strategy for Modulation of Human Gut Microbiota

Two pathologies commonly associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis are type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Since diet and medication are two important causes of microbiome fingerprint modifications, new complementary and alternative methods can include wild edible mushrooms, which serve as functional products, given their properties in modulating the microbial pattern at the colon level. A disturbance in microbial balance translates into the occurrence of degenerative dysfunctions that are also associated with other pathologies, such as obesity, colon cancer. The metagenomic study has enabled the identification of some competitive microbiological and biochemical biomarkers which allow the development of innovative strategies in controling microbial disbalance from human gut. Thus, the aim of this review was to present the significant findings related to human microbiome modulation via the prebiotic effects of wild edible mushrooms as a complementary strategy to modern treatment. Certain mushroom species have been approached and their effects on the microbiota fingerprint of two major target groups are highlighted.